Tales of a far-off land, South of the Sahara,
eminent as forerunners of African independence;
Yet a people ever free; predating antiquity.
Bosom of the Sonnike clans of Mande,
The Great Wagadu fitting to the peerage – ghana!
A people proud and black,
To call themselves the black stars.
An empire of sages, renowned in tales
of polished dark-skinned monarchs embroidered in gold,
adorned in colourful fabric and jewellery,
with towering columns and palaces of ivory.
Twas it not this veracity that brought
to your bounds men from distant isles and landmass,
to share in your abundance of plenty.
Robbed of what dignity there was to Wagadu’s legacy;
nonetheless, setting pace to break lose from bondage,
inspiring a continent within a decade to awake from its slumber.
At powers helm stood Nkrumah
Charting out, laying stone upon stone, brick upon brick;
restoring a legacy, once so great to a “prima donna”.
Preserving the Kakum and Akwapim dense foliage,
Traditions of Akan, Ewe, Mole-Dagbani, Ga-adangme and Guma.
O yes! Tales of a far-off land, ensoul Africa’s pride.
Read – Ode to Ghana – A poem by Ikhenoba Joseph, Nigeria
The poet uses Ghana as a pedestal to revisit the colonial history of Africa, as the reality captured Iin the lines was not a reserve of the Gold Coast.
It brings back to mind the ravages and pillage of African resources and artefacts which countries are now clamouring for their return from foreign museums.
This is the kind of assertiveness Africans should put on henceforth, being black and proud.
Kudos Steph
Thanks, Muam George.
We remain proudly African and proudly black; availing our vistas to worthwhile learning ingrained in our respective indigenous and deep-rooted heritage across Africa.